Monrovia: As Liberia's 172nd Independence Day celebration ensues, a joint inspection team comprising the Ministry of Public Works and the House's Public Works Committee on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 toured ongoing works at the Timbo River Bridge situated between Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties. The inspection was headed by Public Works Minister Mobutu Nyenpan and the Chairman of the House's Committee on Public Works, Representative Matthew Joe of District # 1 in Grand Bassa County. According to the exuberant Works Minister Nyenpan, the delaunching of the Timbo Bridge was triggered by what he called "structural problems" which inhibited the free movement of citizens commuting along the route.

He furthered: "The problems with the Timbo River Bridge are problems of the past, as significant progress has been made by the Government of Liberia in addressing the plights of our people." He lauded the President for mustering the political will to reactivate a contractual agreement that was signed in 2017 between the Government of Liberia and Jupiter Construction, Inc. for the construction of three bridges. " With 95% completion rating on the status of the project, the dedication and subsequent commissioning of the Timbo River Bridge is scheduled for July 24", Minister Nyenpan asserted. Minister Nyenpan who was flanked by an array of Ministers from Public Works including Assistant Minister for Technical Services Clarence Wilson, described the previous condition of the bridge as appalling, terming it a "death trap".

For his part, Mr. Floyd Thomas the engineer supervising the project intimated that the lifespan of the bridge is eighty years, adding that 85 tonnage of the hefty silver metal is the tolerance level. The Public Works engineer Thomas then praised the Government of Liberia for mobilizing the needed funds which expedited the delaunching of the 363m structure. Also speaking was the House's Committee Chairman on Public Works Representative Matthew Joe who expressed satisfaction for the significant progress made contrary to reports circulating in the Capital, Monrovia. The Grand Bassa lawmaker indicated that road is a cardinal tool toward the betterment of the country and pledged his committee's continued support to the Ministry of Public Works for rapid infrastructural development across the country. At the same time, Grand Bassa County Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh used the occasion to caution beneficiaries of the newly constructed bridge to buttress the efforts of the Government for the maintenance of the Timbo River Bridge.

Baikpeh decried acts aimed at undermining the construction of the bridge as a result of mining activities along the Timbo River, stressing discussions are being advanced to address the situation. He pointed out that the construction of the New Timbo Bridge will aid students attending the Bassa Community College and those seeking medical attention at the county's only Referral Hospital. Timbo River Bridge was first built in the early 60's through a USAID road fund project to help connect counties in the Southeast, thereby improving trade and commerce. The delaunching of the Timbo Bridge by the Liberian Government is a milestone for the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development(PAPD) compliant with Pillar 2, section 5.6 on road connectivity. The cost of the project is approximately US$3-4M for the delaunching of three bridges in the Southeast including Timbo, Cesstos and Sanquin in Sinoe County.